MIDDLEBURG - Not only did Ascension St. Vincent's Clay help birth twin babies on Sept. 29, but also an all-time record.

The birth of Shawn and Katherine Eodice's bundles of joy marked the hospital's 118th delivery in the past month. The most significant number so far.

"It's been very exciting for the staff. And busy," said Kerri Kennedy, Nurse Manager of the Family Birth Place at Clay.

Katherine said her twins were originally scheduled for a caesarean section in early October, but there was a change of plans when her water broke.

"They weren't supposed to be September babies. So, they wouldn't have been their little record-breakers if that hadn't had happened."

On average, Ascension St. Vincent's Clay usually delivers an average of 70 to 90 babies a month. But over the last few months, Kennedy said the Family Birth Place has seen a significant uptick in delivery numbers. 

"We went from 106 basically to 112, and then that record-breaking was September."

Katherine said she was sleep-deprived when the hospital told her the big news, but nevertheless, excited when she remembered.

"I know there's been a lot of talk about birth numbers being down and whatnot. But to be hitting hospital records was pretty cool." 

According to Macrotrends.net, the U.S. birthrate for 2025 is expected to be 11.99, a 0.12% decline from 2024.

Kennedy said providing the best quality of care is what the hospital strives for. Up to about 65 staff members, she said, have been there since the hospital opened back in 2016.

"It speaks to the quality of care that we provide, that we have seen for this community. To have that increase in those numbers. Much of our staff lives in the community that we work in. So, that always makes it nice as well.

The Eodices, who live in St. Augustine, said they decided on St. Vincent's Clay after a previous hospital, where they had their older set of twins, changed ownership. 

"Insurance-wise, Clay County was the only other hospital that we could go to for our second set of twins. It felt like home since I grew up there anyhow, so I didn't really have a problem driving [almost an] hour to get there.

"It was also more convenient with having family in the area."

She said the personal care they provided is something that made her experience incredible. Kennedy said that, in a way, that's what sets them apart. A mother's birthing experience is customized to her needs, Kennedy said, from birth design, labor, delivery and recovery to even lactation support.

"Moms get that experience of that nurse for the labor portion, that delivery and then they have that continuity of care even for the recovery period," she said. "So, they might then come back the next day and be in their postpartum area and still get that same nurse. So, you get to really know the staff members."

These are all traits that the hospital hopes to expand on with its newest Level II NICU project. Announced earlier this year, the expansion project will add approximately 5,000 square feet to the hospital, along with eight private NICU rooms. 

Kennedy said the hospital will be able to care for newborns who are 30 weeks of gestation, 1,250 grams or who require additional support for temperature, feeding and mild to moderate respiratory issues.

"It will definitely expand on the types of patients that we can care for," Kennedy said.

Currently a Level I NICU, Kennedy said the Family Birth Place can only deliver low-risk moms and babies who are 35 weeks of gestation.

"By offering these services, it will allow the moms in our community to get all those services in one area and not have to leave the community."

Kennedy said the hospital is looking to break ground early next year. 

"We're waiting for the shovels to hit the ground. But that'll just, basically, help to expand on the care that we already provide to our families."

Just last year, St. Vincent's Clay was recognized by the U.S. News and World Report as one of the best hospitals for maternity care, the highest a hospital can achieve. Kennedy said the record and expansion are a continued step forward.

"I think the team and the facility just strive to give the best quality care that we can to all of our patients that walk through the door. To make it a good experience. And a safe and healthy one," Kennedy said.